In the late hours of a Friday night in Salt Lake City, Utah, the life of 30-year-old Hispanic male Joey Michael Duran was tragically cut short. A father to four children, with his youngest having been born just two days prior, Duran was known by loved ones as a man with a big heart who would give the shirt off his back to help someone in need. His family remembered him as a joker, someone who was quick to make others laugh and smile.
On the evening of June 4, 2021, Duran went to the
Atherton Park Apartments in Taylorsville. He reportedly went there to confront individuals he believed were involved in the recent death of a friend who had died in a car crash. An armed confrontation between two groups erupted in the parking lot of the apartment complex around 11:30 p.m. During the dispute, Duran was shot. Officers who responded to the scene found him bleeding profusely in front of one of the apartment buildings. He was rushed to Intermountain Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead in the early hours of June 5, 2021.
The investigation into Duran's death led to the arrest of three individuals. Initially, police took 21-year-old Sofia Marie Penrod into custody. Penrod, who was in a nearby apartment, initially lied to investigators, claiming she was babysitting and unaware of the shooting. However, a search of her phone revealed messages indicating her involvement. She later admitted to knowing Duran, stating he was her cousin. Penrod was charged with obstruction of justice.
Further investigation identified two more suspects: 26-year-old Lehi Alexander Morantes and 23-year-old Danielle Jordan Valdez. Witnesses reported that Morantes was the one who allegedly shot Duran during the confrontation. Morantes and Valdez fled Utah after the incident but were arrested upon their return. Morantes faced charges of murder and obstruction of justice, while Valdez was also charged with obstruction of justice. All three suspects were taken into custody and held without bail. The weapon used in the shooting was not immediately recovered by authorities.
